Czech Defenseman Jan Rutta On Blackhawks Radar?
On Thursday afternoon, agent Alan Walsh tweeted that a client of his is receiving offers from NHL clubs.
Keep an eye on UFA client Jan Rutta (26 yrs old). One of the top #Czech offensive dmen is receiving NHL offers. https://t.co/PhKeWy26Dh
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) May 11, 2017
Rutta had eight goals and 24 assists in 46 games with Chomutov Pirati in the Czech league – the same team from which the Blackhawks signed forward David Kampf. He is listed at 6-3 and 198 pounds and is a right-handed shot.
Chicago is looking to add depth to their blue line this summer after a disappointing, early exit from the postseason.
What is the level of competition in the Czech league?
Good size. Right handed shot. Wouldnt be a bad move.
You can see him play World champions right now. WC is not Stanley cup but it ยด s better then nothing.
Czech league – average (KHL, Swedish and Swiss league is better), but Rutta was second defensman in points in whole league, has even more points then Kampf.
Signing him wouldn’t be a bad idea more competition. Need to resign Kempney to keep all our defense options open. Time to get younger on the blue line. Time to end the Rosival, Campbell and Oduya signings.
Totally agree DM. Must get younger on the back end. The nostalgia tour with Campbell, Oduya and Rosy is done.
Kempny and Forsling must play 15 minutes or more every night during the regular season. If Rutta comes and competes with the likes of Gusty, great.
Look at Anaheims defense, Josh Manson, B. Montour, Cam Fowler. Young puck movers. Heck their veterans are now Vaatenen and Lindholm, neither is long in the tooth.
The NHL is starting to mimic the NFL, faster and faster, younger and younger.
Agree with DM. And CN time for the dinasaurs on defense to move along. It’s the natural order of things. Hawks need more Kempny, Forsling, Gustafson and Snuggerud. I’ll check this kid out at the Worlds. Bringing back the old gang hasn’t worked. What is this, Oceans Eleven?????
Yes watching the playoffs this year the number of young, strong defenseman is impressive (envy)–again the Hawks have a big gap there due to success/ trade deadline deals and draft decisions.
First pick should be on the back end, from the CHL please. (and not 5′ 11 180)
DM and CN… Then why the F#$* would SB give Seabs $6.8M for that length of time??? With a NMC????!!!!
BAD CONTRACT…. perhaps twice as bad as Bickell deal!!!! Awful.
Can’t wait to see how SB saves this sinking ship!
Rutta is playing surprisingly well at WC…
Noonan, that’s it.
“playing surprisingly well” meaning he isn’t always that good or “now that I’ve seen him he intrigues me” surprisingly?
Kempny- just scored for Czech… I watched a lot of Kempny in WC last year…
I thought he was solid… liked him for Hawks… speed, strong, actually gets some shots thru…. BUT- he would usually make 1-2 major mistakes per game… Q- didn’t seem to have patience for…
Kempny- did Improve for Q… Kempny- seems to be thinking a little to much versus watching him play for Czechs… where he seems much more confident… here is to hoping Q lets him play/sink/swim a little more this year!
What the Hawks do not need is another cheap ,stop gap import D man . We need to draft and develop some good North american stock . Sounds like something that perhaps only Dale Tallon could pull off .
oh good, the Dale Tallon narrative has resurfaced
Why the hell does it matter what nationality a player is?
Craig, I’m surprised you didn’t mention Snuggerud. Fowler is actually older than lindholm. Both first round picks. The ducks are also employing Kevin Bieksa and Clayton Stoner. While they’re younger on D, their top 6 with exception of Rackell are all getting up there.
Runblad was 6 – 21 – 27 and +29 in Swiss League this year so numbers mean little. Who knows, maybe this guy has some game. I still think Kempny could work out.
Ernie. I am definitely a fan of Snuggerud. I think he will spend one full year in the AHL and compete for a spot on the NHL roster in 2018-19.
He’s going to need some defensive coaching at Rockford. He likely needs a bit more structure to his game. But all the tools are there to play “Blackhawks hockey” in terms of puck possession.
For all the angst about the Seabrook contract, isn’t Duncan Keith pretty much a bargain for $ 5.8 Million ? I would think a 2 time Norris Trophy winner and number 1 defenseman on a 3 x Stanley Cup champ is worth 7.5 to 8 million per year. So if Keith is worth 7.5 and Seabrook, say 5 million, isn’t Stan pretty much at the same total ?
You’d think so but that’s not how a lot guys think here. If they did they’d look at 3 cups and understand he probably knows what he’s doing
Paying for the past- is fine when the guy(s) is 23-28… when he is past a certain age/stage of his career… it becomes a burden/diminishing return… that’s when it’s time to move on… imo
Seabs- deal at this age… it will be pretty much all down hill/declining asset…
Kinda like buying a BMW- great car… but loses value pretty quick… I will stick with my Honda… costs less up front, holds it’s value , and LOW maintenance ( #4 Hammer is the Honda… Seabs is the BMW/contract)
I would take Preds/Ducks D over Hawk’s D (with all their cups)… right now- just younger and less wear and tear… of course- I haven’t compared the Cap hits of each
Craig is right how come we don’t hear about what a deal Keith is and even you admitted Wall what a deal Hammer is but yet because Seabrooks is little higher its how Bowman screwed up etc. all the time. We still have 3 top defenceman when all healthy alot of potential at a cap friendly rate now for support. Lets appreciate it
Top 5 for Anaheim- 22.28m
Top 5 for Chicago- 18.218m
@ Ian
I’d appreciate if the Hawks didn’t get their doors blown off by the Preds an 8th seed. I’d also appreciate if people in southern California supported their hockey team better in the WCF woof!
That 8 seed blew by St Louis and won game 1 of the wcf. They’re better than you give them credit for. Hot team with a hot goalie. Happens all the time.
I know tech. there a 8 seed but there around the 6th best team in league.
Ernie- top 3 Vs. Top 3 for Chi/Preds/Ducks on Salaries and ages
then top 5 vs. Top 5 — salaries and ages
Wall what about top 3 vs top 3 or top 5 vs top 5 whichever you prefer in cups won. I’ll take that any day over the rest.
Yes Nashville is hardly an 8th seed team. They only finished that way but many had them winning the Central and making it to the WCF which they have. After the slow start and injuries they are playing like the team people thought they were
Ian- good one… ya got me
Yes- Seabrook was a vital part of three Cups– Rosey has 2
Rosey- is paid accordingly- to his age/speed level
Seabrook-NO!!!! yes- he’s better than Rosey… but not 6 times better!!!
Grasping at straws eh Wall? I listed top 5 because the Hawks have 5 D under contract…excluding Roszival because he won’t play much. These numbers are all easily attainable. Feel free to look them up yourself. I ain’t your bitch.
You want to talk about how much better Anaheim is because they’re D is in your opinion better. Step out of the vacuum a bit. Lose the focus on D. Ryan Kesler and Sebrook have essentially the same contract. Kesler was the second leading scorer and had 58 points. Corey Perry had 53 and played in all 82. He makes 8.6. Seabrook as a defenceman had 39. What the Hawks lack on D is what the Ducks lack at Forward. Trading one problem for another.
Also. Look at the Ducks for expansion. They have to protect Bieksa, Perry, Getzlaf, and Kesler. They will protect Rakell. If they go the 8 skater route they will be forced to expose one of Fowler, Vatanen, or Lindholm. Not an envious spot to be in.
Noonan,. Your last comment makes absolutely no sense.
I have to agree with GoldenBladz for once. Jan Rutta is so delicious looking we would eat the corn kernels from his poo. Go Ducks.
The comment May 15 @10:58 wasn’t me Noonan. I see the imposter is back.
Oiler and Flame seem to be the frontrunner.
If we’re looking at signing someone like this, or going into the season sans Oduya and Campbell and counting on Kempny, then sign him. Kempny couldn’t hold the puck if you put a damned handle on it. Every single game he managed to fiddle around and lose the puck at center ice, or pass it in front of the net for a stone giveaway. If our goalies hadn’t saved his bacon more than once he’d be right up there with Campoli for giveaway-goal idiocy.